Display holder for artificial flowers and the like

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a novel and improved display device, for use particularly in the display for sale of artificial flowers. The new display device, typically of molded plastic construction, provides grid structure for the advantageous support of artificial flowers affording attractive display and convenient handling. The new device readily accommodates the simultaneous display of upright, straightstemmed flowers as well as so-called &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;droopers&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;hangers.

United States Patent Thalenfeld 1451 jail. 16 1 97? 1 DISPLAY HOLDER FOR ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS AND THE LIKE [72] Inventor: David R. Thalenfeld, 162-41 Powells Cove Blvd., Beechurst, NY. 11357 [22] Filed: Sept. 25, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 75,525

[52] US. Cl. ..248/309, 47/41.13, 211/88, 248/DIG. 3, 248/27.8 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47f 5/00 I [58] Field of Search ..248/DIG. 3, 223, 224, 225,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,027,036 3/1962 Budreck ..248/223 ux 1,965,565 7/1934 Bartlett ..47/41 2,872,145 2/1959 Goldshall ..248/223 3,131,511 5/1964 Deaner ..47/41 3,303,610 2/1967 Erbguth ..47/41 .1 1 3,289,993 12/1966 Thalenfeld ..248/225 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,173,719 3/1959 France ..47/4l.l3

Primary Examiner-J. Franklin Foss Attomey-Mandeville & Schweitzer ABSTRACT The invention is directed to a novel and improved display device, for use particularly in the display for sale of artificial flowers. The new display device, typically of molded plastic construction, provides grid structure for the advantageous support of artificial flowers affording attractive display and convenient handling. The new device readily accommodates the simultaneous display of upright, straight-stemmed flowers as well as so-called droopers and hangers.

5 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures ZIMIVIIAI VII] PATENTED JAN 16 I975 sum 1 or 2 INVENTOR.

' DAVID R. THALENFELD PATENTEDJMI 16 ms SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR. DAVID R. THAL EN FELD E/C LI ATTORN {I} DISPLAY HOLDER FOR ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS AND THE LIKE The display holder of the invention is constructed in a novel manner to provide for easy assembly and dis-assembly and to provide for storage in a minimum of space when not in use. This is achieved by constructing the principal part of the holder for snap-together assembly from two identical dish-like grid frames. When the grid frames are assembled face to face, the holder provides a pair of flower supporting grids spaced apart a substantial distance for properly supporting straightstemmed flowers. When the grid frames are disassembled, they may be nested together for minimum storage space requirements. Desirably, the grid frames provide supporting grids on two or more tiers, for more effective and convenient simultaneous display of straightstemmed flowers together with hangers and droopers.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION Artificial flowers are now marketed in significant volume, and department stores frequently maintain displays of such artificial flowers for sale. Most commonly, the artificial flowers are of a molded plastic construction, and usually are manufactured in a variety of types, including straight-stemmed flowers, droopers, and hanging flowers such as vines. Conventional display facilities for such artificial flowers generally are crude and unsatisfactory. For example, for the display of straight-stemmed flowers, it is common practice to utilize conical vases, in some instances having open bottoms. This arrangement, however, causes the flowers to be jammed together and the leaves of adjacent flowers tend to interlock. When a flower is withdrawn from the conventional display device, other flowers frequently are drawn out with it. This results in the frequent dropping of flowers on the floor, excessive handling of the flowers, etc. Further, short-stemmed flowers are difficult to display, because their blossom portions tend to slip down into the vase, and this condition is especially aggravated if an attempt is made to display long-stemmed and short-stemmed flowers in the same display unit.

Conventional facilities for the display of artificial droopers and hangers usually involve the use of an entirely separate display facility, typically a straight bar, which imposes substantial limitations on the number of flowers per unit of lineal display frontage. This is a significant disadvantage, as will be readily appreciated, since the efficient use of display frontage is a critical requirement in modern variety stores and chain stores, for example.

In accordance with the invention, a novel and improved display holder is provided in which longstemmed, short-stemmed and hanging-type flowers may be displayed simultaneously in a close grouping, providing a display of supperior attractiveness and sales appeal and accommodating easier removal of the individual flowers by the sales clerks. The display holder of the invention desirably is of circular configuration, so that a large display area is provided by the holder, within a given linear frontage of the store display.

The device of the invention includes a pair of dishlike grid frames adapted to be snapped together over a circular supporting frame to provide a pair of spacedapart display grids for the reception of the artificial flowers. When the device is assembled, there is sub stantial separation between the grids, providing good support for long-stemmed flowers. The grid openings are of a size to receive a single flower with ample clearance, to accommodate easy loading, while effectively preventing the passage through the openings of the leaves of the flowers. Accordingly, the flowers are displayed with both their leaves and blooms in full view, for greatest sales effectiveness. The grid frames are constructed to be nestable, so that only minimal storage space requirements are involved for a large number of units, when the display equipment is not in use.

According to one feature of the invention, the grid frames are designed to provide a plurality of display tiers, including a lower annular display tier surrounding a circular inner display tier. The arrangement is such that the inner display tier conveniently accommodates the straight-stemmed flowers, while droopers and hangers are most eflectively displayed around the outside periphery of the unit.

The display unit of the invention incorporates a special supporting frame, typically adapted for engagement with an apertured display board, which not only supports the assembled gn'd frames, but serves simultaneously to lock them in their properly assembled positions. The supporting frame is arranged to provide a downward tilt to the assembled grid frames, so that the blossom portions of the flowers are prominently presented to the potential customer, and the projecting stems are both concealed and kept out of the way.

For a better understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the display holder of the invention arranged for the display of straight stemmed and hanging flowers.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the grid frame section of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally on line 44 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral 10 designates a display grid structure, which is typically of circular configuration and is generally flat across the top and bottom surfaces. The grid structure 10 is desirably supported in an inclined orientation by means of a wire supporting frame generally designated by the numeral 11. The frame 11 is, in turn, typically supported from an apertured display board 12 as reflected in FIG. I.

In accordance with one of the important aspects of the invention, the grid structure 10 is comprised of a pair of upper and lower grid frames 13,14 which may be of identical construction and are arranged to be put together and assembled in opposing orientations to complete the grid structure.

The grid frames 13,14 which may be of molded plastic construction, include an outer circular side wall 15 and inner circular side wall 16. The outer side wall I 15 extends from the open base area of grid frame to a first display tier 17, and the inner side wall 16 extends from the first or intermediate display tier 17 to a second or outer display tier 18. In one advantageous form of the invention, the outer display tier 18, is of circular configuration, having a diameter typically on the order of 6 inches. The intermediate display tier 17 desirably is of annular form, and its radial dimension may typically be on the order of Vrof an inch.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outer display tier 18 is comprised of a plurality of grid bars 19,20 intersecting at right angles and forming grid openings typically around xof an inch square, except around the peripheral edges of the display tier, where the grid bars 19,20 intersect the circular side wall 16. At the level of the intermediate tier 17, there are provided a plurality of grid bars 21, and typically these may extend radially between the base of the circular wall 16 and the outer extremity of the circular wall 15. In a structure of around 6 inches or so in diameter, the radial grid bars 21 typically may have angular spacing of around 15 degrees.

As reflected particularly in FIG. 3, the outer circular wall 15 of the grid frames is provided along portions of its base edge with a clamping skirt 22 shaped to define an intumed .annular groove 23 for the reception and resilient retention of a circular wire frame 24. The circular frame 24 typically may be formed of round wire of about 3/16 inch diameter. The clamping skirt 22 is so designed that its open end edge 25 may be snapped over the circular frame 24, with the plastic material of the grid frame accommodating sufficient flexing of the clamping skirt 22 to enable the circular frame to be received and yieldably retained in the groove 23.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the

I two grid frame units 13,14 forming a completed grid structure are of identical construction. Accordingly, the clamping skirt 22 of each grid frame unit extends only part way around the base edge of the circular wall 15, enabling the clamping skirt of one unit to be received in nested fashion in the peripheral regions of the opposing grid frame in which the clamping skirt is absent. Desirably, each grid frame unit has clamping skirt sections which, in the aggregate, extend approximately one half way around the base edge of the wall 15, in such manner that, when two grid frame units are assembled together the composite clamping skirt extends about most of the circumference of the grid structure. Advantageously, the clamping skirts 22 of each grid frame unit extend over arcs of just slightly less than 90, long symmetrical, diametrically opposed edge portions of the circular wall 15. Accordingly, when two grid frame units 13,14 are assembled together, with their respective clamping skirts 22 arranged in interlocking relationship and the end edges 26 thereof in butted-together relation, the grid bars of one unit automatically will be aligned with the grid bars of the other unit.

As reflected particularly in FIGS. 2 and 4, the end portions 27 of the respecting clamping skirts 22 are slightly relieved such that, when a pair of grid frame units is assembled in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 an opening 28 is provided for the reception of the stem portion 29 of the supporting wire frame. The stem 29 may be either formed interally with the circular wire loop 24, or may be welded thereto, as desired.

In the arrangement of the invention, the grid frame units 13,14 are adapted to be independently secured to the circular wire frame 24 by their respective clamping skirts 22. When a pair of the grid frame units is thus independently assembled to the wire frame, an overall structure 10 is completed, as is reflected in FIG. 1. The upper and lower portions of the unit are entirely symmetrical except that, desirably, the stem 29 of the wire frame is tilted downward and outward at 30, such that the display tiers 17,118 of the upper grid frame unit face upward and outward from the display wall 12.. Advantageously, the wire supporting element 11 incorporates features of the Thalenfeld U.S. Pat. No. 3,289,993. In this respect, the inner end portion of the support includes a base portion 31 to which is pivotly secured a locking plate 32. A locking plate carries a pair of L-shaped lugs 33, which are arranged to be received in openings 34 in the apertured display board 12. Upon upward pivoting of the locking member 32 the L-shaped lugs 33 swing in a counter clockwise direction and may be removed from or inserted in the openings 34 without tilting the wire frame 11. This is particularly advantageous where it may occasionally be necessary to remove and relocate a display holder assembly which is filled with a flower display, and also where the display holder is to be installed in a congested display area or close underneath a shelf for example.

In the illustrated form of the invention the circular side Wall 15 may have an overall height dimension, from the center of the groove 23, of around an inch and a quarter, while the inner circular wall 16 may have an overall height of around fainch. Thus, when a pair of grid frame units are assembled back to back to form the structure 10 shown in FIG. 1, the respective outer grid tiers 18 are spaced apart around 3 rinches or so. This provides ideal individual support for straight stemmed flowers 35 which may be inserted in the holder with their stems 36 passing through aligned pairs of grid openings. The size of the grid openings is ideally suited for the reception of a single flower stem and greatly facilitates the making of an appropriate and attractive floral display in the holder. Further, the size of the grid openings is such as to substantially prevent the passage therethrough of the leaves 37 of the flowers. Thus, when the straight-stemmed flowers are dropped into place in the display holder, they will automatically be stopped when the first layer of leaves engages the outer grid tier, so that the flowers are displayed at an attractive height and with a minimal opportunity for entangling of the leaves of adjacent flowers.

Of particular advantage, the display holder of the present invention provides an intermediate annular tier 17 around its periphery, which is ideally suited for the display of droopers or hangers, such as the vine plants 38 illustrated in FIG. 1. The conventional artificial vine plant is provided with a hooked stern portion 39, and this is readily received in the grid openings 40 of the annular tier. Thus, the hanging plants may be attractively displayed along with the straight stemmed plants, and a substantial number of such plants may be effectively displayed in a relatively small amount of display board frontage.

By disposing the grid structure 10 at a downward angle, so that its upper tiers of grids face upwardly and outward toward the prospective customer, the blooms individual grid frame units are slanted somewhat outward toward the open end of the unit. This enables the two units of a pair to be nested together when not in use. Indeed, it enables a large number of the grid frame units to be stacked in nested relation, so that a minimum of storage space is utilized when the devices are not in active display use. This is a feature of significance for active department and variety stores, whose overall merchandise display policies vary widely with seasonal and other considerations.

The display holder of the invention is capable of economical manufacture, because of its use of two identical parts in the assembly of the basic grid structure, and the use of a simple wire frame for both supporting and securing together of the individual units of grid structure. The assembled unit is extremely a light weight, and therefore suitable for support on a long cantilever arm of the support bracket, to provide an attractive display location in front of the panel board 12. The unit is also of an attractive overall design such that it provides a pleasing display setup even when partly depleted of its full floral display.

It should be understood, of course, that the specific from of the invention herein illustrated and described is intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A display holder for artificial flowers and the like, which comprises a. a pair of grid frames units of generally convex exterior configuration and generally concave interior configuration;

b. each of said grid frame units having a display grid of rectangular configuration in its central portion and a generally circular side wall structure;

c. a circular frame for supporting the grid frame units in secured-together fashion from a display wall;

(I. each of said grid frame units including side wall extensions adapted for clamping engagement with the circular supporting frame;

c. said circular side wall structures supporting the respective display grids in substantially spaced relation, and

f. said side wall extensions extending around not more than one-half of the periphery of said side wall structures and being of a configuration to accommodate engagement by a pair of identical grid frame units, of a single circular wire frame about its periphery for securing the grid frames together with the concave interiors in facing relation and with openings of their display grids axially aligned. 2. The display holder of claim 1 further characterized, y

a. sai circular frame comprising a frame of wire-like construction having a supporting stem projecting from a portion thereof,

b. said grid units engaging said wire-like frame about substantially its entire periphery and providing an opening for the passage of said supporting stem.

3. A display holder for artificial flowers and the like comprising,

a. a wire-like support including a base portion for engagement with a display wall, a supporting stem, and a supporting loop at its outer end;

b. said loop being arranged to be disposed with its I principal plane tilted downward and away from the display wall;

a pair of hollow grid frame units secured to said loop above and below its principal plane;

. said grid frame units each having a circular side wall and each providing a plurality of tiers of dis play grids disposed generally parallel to said principal plane and adapted for the reception of straight-stemmed flowers in certain tiers and hanging-type flowers in certain other tiers;

. clamping skirts projecting from each circular side wall and extending in arcs of not more than over two symmetrically disposed regions of said said walls, and

f. said clamping skirts being internally grooved for the reception of said loop.

4. The display holder of claim 3, further characterized by a. the grid frame units of an assembled pair being arranged with their respective clamping skirts in closely interlocking relation, whereby said units have a predetermined rotational orientation with respect to each other, and

b. said grid frame units having a plurality of grid bars formed in their display tiers and defining grid openings, and

c. the grid openings of the respective grid frame units being aligned by the interlocking engagement of said clamping skirts.

5. The display holder of claim 3 further characterized by a. said grid frame units being assembled in back-toback orientation, and

b. said side walls being outwardly placed to accommodate close nesting of a plurality of grid frame units in front-toback orientation. 

1. A display holder for artificial flowers and the like, which comprises a. a pair of grid frames units of generally convex exterior configuration and generally concave interior configuration; b. each of said grid frame units having a display grid of rectangular configuration in its central portion and a generally circular side wall structure; c. a circular frame for supporting the grid frame units in secured-together fashion from a display wall; d. each of said grid frame units including side wall extensions adapted for clamping engagement with the circular supporting frame; e. said circular side wall structures supporting the respective display grids in substantially spaced relation, and f. said side wall extensions extending around not more than onehalf of the periphery of said side wall structures and being of a configuration to accommodate engagement by a pair of identical grid frame units, of a single circular wire frame about its periphery for securing the grid frames together with the concave interiors in facing relation and with openings of their display grids axially aligned.
 2. The display holder of claim 1 further characterized by a. said circular frame comprising a frame of wire-like construction having a supporting stem projecting from a portion thereof, b. said grid units engaging said wire-like frame about substantially its entire periphery and providing an opening for the passage of said supporting stem.
 3. A display holder for artificial flowers and the like comprising, a. a wire-like support including a base portion for engagement with a display wall, a supporting stem, and a supporting loop at its outer end; b. said loop being arranged to be disposed with its principal plane tilted downward and away from the display wall; c. a pair of hollow grid frame units secured to said loop above and below its principal plane; d. said grid frame units each having a circular side wall and each providing a plurality of tiers of display grids disposed generally parallel to said principal plane and adapted for the reception of straight-stemmed flowers in certain tiers and hanging-type flowers in certain other tiers; e. clamping skirts projecting from each circular side wall and extending in arcs of not more than 90* over two symmetrically disposed regions of said said walls, and f. said clamping skirts being internally grooved for the reception of said loop.
 4. The display holder of claim 3, further characterized by a. the grid frame units of an assembled pair being arranged with their respective clamping skirts in closely interlocking relation, whereby said units have a predetermined rotational orientation with respect to each other, and b. said grid frame units having a plurality of grid bars formed in their display tiers and defining grid openings, and c. the grid openings of the respective grid frame units being aligned by the interlocking engagement of said clamping skirts.
 5. The display holder of claim 3 further characterized by a. said grid frame units being assembled in back-to-back orientation, and b. said side walls being outwardly placed to accommodate close nesting of a plurality of grid frame units in froNt-to-back orientation. 